Cold Steel AD-15 OD Green 58SQ pocket knife, Andrew Demko design

The Cold Steel AD-15 is a large and robust pocket knife, designed by Andrew Demko. This American designer is responsible for a large part of Cold Steel’s folding knife successes. This AD15 is another masterpiece. One of Demko’s most famous inventions is the Tri-Ad-lock. A rock-solid lock which is tested often as the strongest on the market. This production version of Demko’s custom AD-15 introduces a new lockings mechanism: the Scorpion Lock. Just as a scorpion’s tail hangs over his own body, that is how the lockbar bends from the spine of the handle down to the blade.

The lockbar is made from aluminium. In it you will find a steel stop-pin which keeps the blade in place when opened. Similar to with a backlock this happens in the cut-out in the back of the blade. Unique about the Scorpion Lock is that during use you also apply pressure on the lockbar with your hand. As such the construction is even stronger. You could even say that this is an ultimate combination between a backlock and a framelock. With the framelock your hand is also an integral part of the lock. With a little practice you can also close the AD15 with one hand. Check out the video to learn more.

You open the blade with the double thumb studs. The blade is made from CPM S35VN steel. A stainless, premium type of steel that retains it sharpness well. Also great to sharpen yourself, key for a knife you will use frequently.

The Cold Steel AD15 closely resembles the custom version which Demoko produces himself. Not that surprising: the same CAD drawings were used for the production of the Cold Steel. The only differences can therefore be found in the materials. With the custom the lockbar is made from titanium, and Demko uses a different type of steel for the blade.

Great about this pocket knife is that it is great for both left and right-handed use.